The estimated resident population of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) at 30 June 2006 was 334,200 people, an increase of 14,900 from June 2001.

The average annual growth rate for the ACT's population between June 2001 and June 2006 was 0.9%. This is an increase on the rate in the previous intercensal period (June 1996 to June 2001) which was 0.7% per annum. In comparison the average annual growth rate for Australia was 1.3% between June 2001 and June 2006. At June 2006 the population of the ACT made up 1.6% of Australia's population.

Gungahlin-Hall Statistical Subdivision (SSD) recorded the largest and fastest growth of all SSDs in the ACT over the 5 years to 30 June 2006, up 33.4% (or 8,200 people). North Canberra SSD increased by 13.4% (5,200 people) and South Canberra SSD by 5.4% (1,300 people). Woden Valley SSD and Belconnen SSD had smaller percentage increases of 2.3% (760 people) and 1.9% (1,600 people) respectively.

There was a decrease of 1,200 people in Tuggeranong SSD (1.3%) and 780 people (3.3%) in Weston Creek-Stromlo SSD.

For Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) this summary excludes those with populations of less than 1,000 at 30 June 2006.

AGE DISTRIBUTION

In the five years to June 2006, the proportion of ACT residents aged less than 20 years declined while the proportion aged 55 years or more increased.

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, 2001 and 2006

At June 2006, in comparison with Australia, the ACT had lower proportions of people at all ages over 58 years. The proportion of young adults (aged between 18 and 36 years) in the ACT is particularly high compared with Australia, reflecting the number of people of these ages who move to Canberra for tertiary education or employment.

AGE DISTRIBUTION, ACT and Australia, 30 June 2006

MEDIAN AGE

The population of the ACT is generally younger than the total Australian population. At June 2006, the median age of the ACT population (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) was 34.4 years, compared with a national median age of 36.6 years.

Within the ACT, the SSD of Gungahlin-Hall had the youngest population at June 2006, with a median age of 31.3 years. This was followed by North Canberra (32.3 years),Tuggeranong (33.4 years), and Belconnen (33.9 years). Woden Valley (39.7 years), Weston Creek-Stromlo (39.2 years), and South Canberra (38.7 years) had the highest median ages.

CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE)

There were 62,600 people aged under 15 years in the ACT at June 2006, making up 18.7% of the population. This was less than the Australian proportion of 19.6%. It was also less than the proportion of children in the ACT in June 1996 (22.0%) and June 2001 (20.5%).

Around a quarter of the populations of both Gungahlin-Hall SSD (25.2%) and Tuggeranong SSD (22.3%) were aged under 15 years in June 2006. The SLAs with the highest proportion of population under 15 years were Amaroo (30.0%) and Conder (28.7%). North Canberra SSD had the lowest proportion of people aged under 15 years at 12.7%, with the SLA of Acton having only 0.2%.

WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS)

There were 239,900 people aged 15 to 64 years in the ACT at June 2006, making up 71.8% of the population.

The highest proportion of people in this age group was in North Canberra SSD (75.5%) followed by Belconnen SSD (72.6%). Woden Valley SSD had the lowest proportion (67.5%).

Of SLAs with more than 1,000 people, the three with the highest proportion of people aged 15 to 64 were those with large student populations: Acton (99.2%), with the Australian National University; Duntroon (91.5%), with the Australian Defence Force Academy; and Belconnen Town Centre (97.7%), with the University of Canberra. Acton and Duntroon also had the highest proportions of working aged people in June 1996 and June 2001.

The SLAs of Deakin and Hughes had the lowest proportions of working age people with 62.7% each in June 2006.

OLDER PEOPLE

AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

There were 31,800 people aged 65 years and over in the ACT at June 2006, making up 9.5% of the population.

The highest proportions of people aged 65 years and over were in the SSDs of Woden Valley (16.0%), South Canberra (14.6%) and Weston Creek-Stromlo (13.4%). Gungahlin-Hall SSD had the lowest proportion with 4.6%.

Almost one quarter (22.2%) of the population of Page in Belconnen SSD was aged 65 years and over.

AGED 85 YEARS AND OVER

There were 3,400 people aged 85 years and over in the ACT at June 2006, making up 1.0% of the population.

The highest proportion of people aged 85 years and over was in the SSD of South Canberra (2.5%). Gungahlin-Hall SSD had the lowest proportion (0.2%).

Of ACT SLAs in June 2006, Page had the highest proportion (5.7%) of its population aged 85 years and over, as it did in June 2001.

SEX RATIO

For the ACT in June 2006, there were 98.0 males for every 100 females, an increase on the sex ratio in June 2001 (97.4), but less than that of June 1996 (98.5).

North Canberra SSD was the only SSD in the Canberra SD to have more males than females in June 1996 (100.3) and June 2006 (102.3).

Of the SLAs with more than 1,000 people, Duntroon, containing the Australian Defence Force Academy, has had the highest sex ratio in the ACT over the past 10 years with 269.7 males for every 100 females in June 2006, an increase from 252.9 in June 1996. The North Canberra SLA of Reid had the second highest sex ratio in June 2006 of 112.8, up from 94.9 in June 1996. The SLA of Deakin had the lowest sex ratio in June 2006 of 78.3, an increase from 77.5 in June 1996, but a decrease from 78.7 in June 2001.

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